Done
Chicago, IL, United States
Auction Details
The Ricky Jay Collection
Potter & Potter Auctions
Potter & Potter is thrilled to bring to auction the remarkable, singular, eclectic collection of Ricky Jay, the lauded actor, celebrated sleight-of-hand magician, and noted author, who curated his own extensive collection of magic, circus, and showbiz ephemera - a one of a kind wunderkammer. From literature of cheating, gambling and conmen, to vibrant circus and sideshow posters, flamboyant text-filled broadsides spanning the last four centuries, and memorabilia of magic shows of yesteryear, this, the first of three auctions promises to be a true celebration of curious characters and the rare relics that tell their stories.
Auction Curator:

Gabe Fajuri
PresidentTOP
![JAY, Ricky. Ricky Jay. On the Stem. [New York], 2003. One-s...](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311274_1_x.jpg?height=300&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![Is Conan Doyle Right? Cleveland: J. Morgan Litho., [1923]. ...](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311151_1_x.jpg?height=300&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[SIDESHOW] Collection of Real Photo Postcards of Sideshow P...: [SIDESHOW] Collection of Real Photo Postcards of Sideshow Performers. American, 1910s – 40s. Thirty-two images, most full-length, picturing the performers featured in many of America’s](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311383_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![THE FIRST SIDESHOW IN AMERICA? [SIDESHOW] Entrance Pass to ...: [SIDESHOW] Entrance Pass to The Tammany Museum. New York: J. Harrisson/J. Buel, 1796. Double-sided entrance ticket to the Tammany Museum, the recto completed in ink for one “Elijah Cock,”](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311384_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![SKINKER, Tannakin. A Certaine Relation of the Hog-Faced Gen...: SKINKER, Tannakin. A Certaine Relation of the Hog-Faced Gentlewoman Called Mistress Tannakin. London: Printed by J.O. … [ca. 1816?]. Wood engraved portrait of the pig-faced lady to title page,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311385_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)



![PULLEN, Harriet S. (d. 1947). Soapy Smith Bandit of Skagway...: PULLEN, Harriet S. (d. 1947). Soapy Smith Bandit of Skagway. How He Lived; How He Died. [Juneau: Stroller’s Weekly Print, ca. 1920]. Printed light blue wraps, lightly faded. Three](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311389_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


![SPINETTO, Antonio. Grand Exhibition of Performing Canary Bi...: SPINETTO, Antonio. Grand Exhibition of Performing Canary Birds. New York: Jos. A. Frateas & Co. Printers, [1847]. Pictorial letterpress broadside with two elaborate woodcuts depicting the remarkable](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311392_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)

![[STRONGMAN] Double-Sided Woodblock Depicting Strongman Gius...: [STRONGMAN] Double-Sided Woodblock Depicting Strongman Giuseppe Crociani. Italy, ca. 1835. On the recto, the strongman demonstrates his abilities by pulling against two horses while laying atop a](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311394_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[STRONGMAN] Professor Harrison The Modern Hercules! [London...: [STRONGMAN] Professor Harrison The Modern Hercules! [London] Lambeth: Printed by J.W. Peel, 1853. Broadside advertising a variety bill at the Queen’s Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, and](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311395_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)



![Table Moving, Its Causes and Phenomena: With Directions How...: Table Moving, Its Causes and Phenomena: With Directions How to Experiment. [London]: Published by John Wesley, ca. 1860. Pictorial wrappers, the upper bearing a wood-engraved image of sitters at a](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311399_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[TATTOO] Five Portraits of Tattooed Men and Women. New York...: [TATTOO] Five Portraits of Tattooed Men and Women. New York and elsewhere, 1880-90s. Including a half-length portrait of Irene Woodward by Baker of Columbus; two half-length images of shirtless](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311400_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[TATTOO] Miller Brothers & Stanley’s Big One Dime Show! Pro...: [TATTOO] Miller Brothers & Stanley’s Big One Dime Show! Providence: Zimmer [?], ca. 1890. Pictorial letterpress broadside for “minstrel, variety, museum and aquarium” presentation](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311401_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[THROW OUT CARDS] Five Magicians’ Scaling Cards. American, ...: [THROW OUT CARDS] Five Magicians’ Scaling Cards. American, ca. 1910 – 35. Including four cards picturing magician Howard Thurston on the recto at various stages throughout his career,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311402_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)


![[TIGHT ROPE] [SATIRE] Paye qui Tombe. Amsterdam: Widow of J...: [TIGHT ROPE] [SATIRE] Paye qui Tombe. Amsterdam: Widow of J. Van Egmont, [1746]. Etching depicts a satire on the attempts of Prince Edward Charles and his attempts to restore the house of Stuart to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311405_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
![[TIGHT ROPE] Vue de la Décoration du Feu D’Artifice Et de l...: [TIGHT ROPE] Vue de la Décoration du Feu D’Artifice Et de la Loge de L’Ètat Major. [Paris, ca. 1811]. Hand-colored engraving of Sieur Furioso, a tightrope walker, perched on one](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/928/274472/144311406_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1673893579)
